Budding surfers are back in the water with the Grom Squad

THE BASS Coast Board Riders Club Grom Squad Program has begun again this term for those budding young surfers. 
The program is perfect for kids who have had a lesson or two but want more practice to master the basics of surfing, like paddling, getting to their feet and riding a wave.
The Grom Squad has been successfully running for seven or eight years, and in that time, some of the kids who started with the Squad and competed as part of the Bass Coast Boardriders are now competing at state or national level. 
This includes current local junior surfers Arch Rayner, Dusty Rayner, Sonja Sueren, Sarah Sueren, Maeve Wilkinson, and Sam Patterson.
An accredited coach teaches the grommies and this term local Surf Coach ‘Gowie’ will be back helping kids gain confidence in the water and getting their skills right.
The squad caters to children aged between about 8 and 15 but may vary, depending on the children’s ability in the water.
Organisers ask that kids are at least able to stand up on a foamy board in the water. If they are unable, they can get a couple of surf lessons with one of the three surf schools in town and then join the squad on a Friday night. 
Luke Wilkinson, spokesperson for the Club commented that the kids enjoy learning to ride the waves in a group environment and get a lot out of the squad, with ten to twenty kids attending each session. 
“Surfing in a group is the big kick. The coach, Gowie, he's fun. He's great with the kids, so he makes it fun. I think the kids just like doing it and whether it's the event or, the wind-up sessions, we make them a bit of a fun and they get a couple of little prizes and things at the end of the programme.” 
The end of each term is celebrated with an event, whether it's a small competition or presentation.
The club also has loan boards, including long boards, foam tops and fibre glass that the kids can try out and might want to use depending on the conditions.
Parents are also encouraged to get in the water and help their kids during the sessions. 
Grom Squad is on every second Friday night from 5:30 – 6:30pm, when the conditions, weather and tides are right at Ozone Street Beach in Inverloch.
For more information go to Bass Coast Boardriders Facebook and Instagram pages.